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Could Raymond Felton end up a Golden State Warrior, in a trade that might acquire Anthony Randolph or Brandan Wright?
The Warriors and Bobcats have had discussions about Felton, an NBA source told the Observer, and the Warriors appear open to giving up either Randolph or Wright to make a deal work.
Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins would neither confirm, nor deny, talks with the Warriors involving Felton. Higgins came to the Bobcats two years ago from a similar role with the Warriors.
There's considerable incentive for both teams to consider such a trade:
The Bobcats face the possibility of losing Felton without compensation after this season, when he becomes a restricted free agent. They chose not to sign him to a contract extension last summer, after drafting another point guard, D.J. Augustin, with the ninth overall pick.
Augustin has blossomed of late, scoring 29 points and totaling seven assists in an overtime victory Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls. Augustin outplayed Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, the No.1 overall pick.
That could leave the Bobcats with a dilemma in July, should another NBA team offer Felton a lucrative offer sheet.
At that point, the Bobcats would either match that contract and possibly overpay a player who could end up a reserve or potentially lose a player chosen fifth overall in 2005, without compensation.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have an abundance of forwards and a need for Felton's toughness and playmaking. The Warriors lost Baron Davis to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency, and are still searching for help at the point.
Felton might not be a pure point guard, but he would free up Monta Ellis (once Ellis recovers from an offseason scooter accident), to be a scorer at shooting guard.
Randolph, a multi-skilled but spindly forward out of Louisiana State, auditioned well enough that he was at least in the discussion when the Bobcats made the ninth selection.
Wright was the player the Bobcats chose on the Warriors' behalf, after working out a deal to acquire shooting guard Jason Richardson on draft day 2007
Felton makes enough this season ($4.15million) that the Bobcats could acquire Randolph and Wright, and the salaries would match within NBA rules.
But since Randolph and Wright are similar, it would make sense for the Bobcats to take one, plus something else that would offer them salary-cap relief.
Originally Posted by OSUFan_88:
Wait, wait, wait.
Felton for Anthony Randolph?
That would be daylight robbery.
Originally Posted by GSW:
this is obviously not happening.
Originally Posted by marino13882:
Its not just Randolph, it says another player could be named. Plus, this is the Bobcats we are talking about, you never know maybe you guys could get Okafor and Wallace as well.
Originally Posted by GSW:
i dont want stone hands okafor or gerald wallace